How to Make a DIY Gift Bag for Christmas

Last Updated on March 3, 2022

Hello friends! With the holidays just around the corner, I am SUPER excited to show you how to make a DIY gift bag. This is the perfect way to wrap oddly shaped items. DIY gift bags are easy to make! With this tutorial, you will never have an awkward or ugly wrapped gift again.

How to make a DIY gift bag

I saw a video on Facebook last holiday season that I believe was posted by The Today Show (or another morning show–I can’t remember which one it was) demonstrating how to make a DIY gift bag from wrapping paper.

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How to Make a DIY Gift Bag

Materials needed

I even prepared a video tutorial to show you how easy it is to make a diy gift bag. Check it out, and if you love it, please share it with your friends or on Facebook or pin it to save it for later :)

Steps to make your gift bag

1) Roll out some of your wrapping paper and place the oddly shaped item that you want to wrap on top of it. Make sure you use enough wrapping paper to cover the item. Cut your wrapping paper to size.

2) Place your paper face down on your table. Fold the right and left sides in until they meet in the middle and overlap some. Tape the seam.

How to make a DIY gift bag
How to make a DIY gift bag
How to make a DIY gift bag

3) Fold the bottom of the wrapping paper up to create the bottom of the bag.

How to make a DIY gift bag
How to make a DIY gift bag

4) Separate the two pieces of wrapping paper and flatten out the corners to create a diamond shape (see below).

How to make a DIY gift bag

5) Fold the top and bottom corners in toward the middle of the diamond. Tape in place.

How to make a DIY gift bag
How to make a DIY gift bag

6) Open the bag and place your item in it.

How to make a DIY gift bag

7) Fold the top of the bag over to the back side. Use your rectangle shape hole punch to punch holes for ribbon of your choosing.

How to make a DIY gift bag

8) Thread ribbon through the holes and tie a bow.

How to make a DIY gift bag

That's it! You are done. Isn't it easy? And aren't the bags beautiful?!

How to make a DIY gift bag

​If you love this idea, be sure to save it to Pinterest so you can find it again later.

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27 Comments

  1. The step-by-step instructions provided here are clear and easy to follow, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned crafters alike. I appreciate how the author has included a list of materials needed upfront, allowing me to gather everything I need before getting started.

    The use of recyclable materials in this DIY project is not only environmentally friendly but also adds a unique touch to the gift-giving experience. I love the idea of repurposing old newspapers or colorful pages from magazines to create festive and personalized gift bags.

    The tips and tricks shared throughout the article, such as adding decorative elements like ribbons, tags, and even mini ornaments, take these DIY gift bags to the next level. It’s wonderful to see how a simple homemade touch can make a gift feel even more thoughtful and heartfelt.

  2. You could also put a piece of light weight, cut-to-fit, cardboard in the bottom of the bag to provide more stability.

  3. I am trying to do Christmas on a budget this year as I have recently gone back to school. I have looked at this type of wrapping before but didn’t find a site with directions like this one. I love the systematic instructions which break it down into detail. I can’t wait to try this in a couple weeks when the gift wrapping get under way! Thank you

  4. A great tutorial. I have a 1990’s children’s craft book that gives instructions on making gift bags but your one is easier. Just a tip: instead of scotch tape what about double sided tape under the edges so they don’t show? Makes it look tidier. Also, if the item that is being gift bagged is light (such as that lovely teddy which was being ‘suffocated’) you could tie a knot in each ribbon end and use it as a .handle. Just an idea.

    I LOVE what you did to your lounge/sitting room. That fireplace is ama-zing and the room looks so much different and better than before (not hard really). I’m going to bookmark your site and take a look around it.

    With thanks.

    Cee Jay/Leigh on Sea, Essex, ENGLAND, Britain.

  5. I wonder if I can also use this idea to make a fabric bag? I just bought my first sewing machine and I am intimidated by patterns.

  6. This is fantastic, thanks for the tutorial. I’m going to take a look around at your blog. Would love for you to stop by. By the way, love the name of your blog

    Cindy

  7. Thank you so much for this. The ladies at my church put together a bazaar every Christmas and we were discussing making gift bags for the purchases as well as some really over the top ones for sale. Your instructions will certainly help put this together.

  8. Just want you to know that this saved my “wrapping the Chanukah presents” nught. I was wrapping a toy drum without a box~! This worked wonderfully. Thank you so much.

  9. This is a fantastic idea! I couldn’t help but crack up at that first picture of the awkwardly wrapped gift. You can easily spend loads of money on gift bags(if you buy the really cute ones!), so this is a total game changer. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing!

    Shonee
    http://www.hawthorneandmain.com

  10. I love this idea! Glad I found you. I just popped over from Lindsey’s Blog at Better After and I loved the re-do of the green room in your house to the lovely and calming blue room with the cement fireplace. Great job! Can’t wait to poke around your blog and see what other lovely ideas and re-do’s you’ve done.